By RACHNA LAL and RANOBA BAOA
Goundar Shipping’s latest vessel has arrived in the country and it has been named the Lomaiviti Princess II.
Goundar Shipping managing director, George Goundar, was yesterday proudly on board his latest acquisition from Tahiti worth $1.5 million.
He hosted his crew to a luncheon to allow them to see the Lomaiviti Princess II.
Mr Goundar said with a bit of maintenance and approval from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji, the vessel would be ready to start servicing in the next two weeks.
Goundar Shipping will be investing close to $200,000 on the vessel for maintenance.
“We have got a bit of maintenance, a bit of housekeeping and modifications with new seats to do,” he said.
“We just got in touch with a few companies in China to get aircraft seats in our economical lounges.”
Mr Goundar is hoping for things to go well with the surveyors who are expected to come from the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji.
Route plans and reshuffles
Mr Goundar said the Lomaiviti Princess I, from next month, will only be doing Suva-Savusavu-Taveuni routes.
“It is already doing two runs and we will be putting a third run in,” he said.
For Lomaiviti Pincess II, Mr Goundar said they plan to get Gau in the picture as well now giving the island with a ‘bad reputation’ a second chance.
“We are trying to get a weekly service into Gau which has been given a very bad reputation,” he said.
“The shipowners avoid going to Gau because of the system. The Lomaiviti Princess I made a first try but we had to pull out.
“Reason being the people thought the ship is free and they can travel without paying anything – they thought it is a Government vessel.
“So we pulled out of Gau but I’m willing to give it a try and we will make the fare reasonable.
“The vessel will also be going to Kadavu, Koro and the Lau group and we will discuss further about going into Rotuma.”
The vessel is smaller than the Lomaiviti Princess I and is ideal for where there are jetties.
We will be bringing you more news on the Lomaiviti Princess II in our Shipping Liftout tomorrow.
George Goundar managing director of Goundar Shipping, on board his latest acquisition, the MV Lomaiviti Princess II, former Tahitian Tuhaa Pae II. Photo: RONALD KUMAR